Azmi & Associates is pleased to share that the AzmiLaw Career Talk Series: Session 2.0 was held on 11 February 2026, featuring Mr. Donny Ching (former Legal Director of Shell plc) as the speaker, with our Senior Partner, Dato’ Azmi Mohd Ali, chairing the session.
Mr. Donny was the first Malaysian to rise to the top legal leadership position within Shell plc as Legal Director and led a global legal function comprising close to 1,000 legal professionals across 45 countries.
We were heartened to see 160 people registered for the session, including law practitioners from within the firm and the wider legal community, students from various universities, and in-house counsel.
During the session, Mr. Donny shared reflections on leadership, professional excellence, and managing key career transitions. He offered practical insights that resonated with participants at different stages of their careers. In particular, he emphasised that long-term success often comes down to a simple but powerful mindset: be curious and be daring. Curiosity, he shared, is what drives continuous learning such as asking better questions, understanding the “why” behind decisions, and staying open to perspectives beyond one’s immediate role. Being daring, on the other hand, is about having the courage to step into unfamiliar opportunities, take ownership early, and make thoughtful decisions even when the path ahead is not fully mapped out.
Mr. Donny also spoke about the importance of an open leadership style: leading with approachability, clarity, and genuine investment in people. He shared how an “open door” policy is not merely symbolic, but a consistent practice of making time for team members, encouraging them to seek guidance, and creating a culture where people feel supported to raise issues early, ask for advice, and grow with confidence. These reflections offered a meaningful reminder that leadership is not only measured by outcomes, but also by how we develop others along the way.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the session a meaningful one. We also extend our appreciation to Mr. Donny Ching for taking the time to share his experience.
Stay tuned for the AzmiLaw Career Talk Series: Session 3.0. Further details will be announced soon.
Corporate Communications
Azmi & Associates
12 February 2026
